UNI Splits Pair with WSU to Open Up MVC Play

Saturday, March 19

Wichita, Kan.

12 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

20-7, 0

Wichita State

13-9, 0

UNI

Wichita State

UNI Splits Pair with WSU to Open Up MVC Play

3/19/2016 5:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Riley Ubben

WICHITA, Kan. – The University of Northern Iowa softball team split a pair of games in their Missouri Valley Conference opening doubleheader against Wichita State on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers (21-7, 1-1 MVC) fell in game one 3-2 before rallying from one run down early to prevail 11-7 in game two.

The Panthers grabbed early leads in both games of the day, beginning with a Chelsea Ross two-run shot off the scoreboard in left field to score Micalla Rettinger after her second single of the day in game one to put UNI ahead 2-0.

After keeping the Shockers hit-less for the opening three innings, Ross surrendered a two-run home run to Cacy Williams to center field to tie things up at 2-2. WSU added to their lead in the next inning to go up one run.

The Panthers looked to retake the lead in top of the fifth inning, loading the bases on back-to-back walks from Ross and Caitlin Wnek to put three on with two outs. UNI could not capitalize in the frame as a strikeout ended the Panthers' best scoring chance since the third inning.

Ross opened up the scoring in the same fashion as she did in the first game of the day, grabbing her fifth home run of the year and second of the day in the opening inning of game two, a one-run shot to right field. Ross' homer marked her fifth of the season. Kristin Lock followed up with a two-out homer of her own after a Caitlin Wnek single, putting UNI ahead 3-0 early.

WSU answered back quickly, taking advantage of back-to-back walks in the inning as they scored four runs on three hits to take a 4-3 lead.

Ross continued to stay hot at the plate for the Panthers, grabbing her fourth, fifth, and sixth RBI of the day in the top of the second on a two-out bases-clearing double to right center to put UNI back ahead 6-4. The three RBI brought Ross' total for the season to 30.

A solo shot from WSU's Williams narrowed the Panther lead to just one in the bottom of the third, 6-5.

UNI got back on the board in the fifth inning, scoring five runs with two-outs to grab an 11-5 advantage. Courtney Krodinger moved into scoring position with some slick base running, swiping second and reaching third on the preceding error by the Shocker pitcher. Samantha Olson recorded her fourth RBI of the season, slapping a two-out single through the left side for the first score of the inning. The Panthers were patient at the plate after a WSU pitching change, recording back-to-back walks from Lock and Wnek to bring two more across to score. Kennedy Bailey added to the lead, sending a hot-shot off the glove of the first basemen to score the final two of the inning.

The Shockers added two runs in the final inning, but it would not be enough as the Panthers prevailed, 11-7.

UNI will wrap up their three-game series with WSU in the deciding game three tomorrow at noon.